Phonograph Blues

Album: King Of The Delta Blues (1936)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In his short life, Robert Johnson recorded only 29 songs. According to Dave Rubin in his transcription of the Johnson sessions King Of The Delta Blues, "Phonograph Blues" (take 1) is quite similar to "Kind Hearted Woman Blues." Rubin writes, "After surveying Robert Johnson's complete repertoire, it becomes evident that he had, with exceptions, a group of accompaniments that he adapted to various sets of lyrics."
  • Take 2 of "Phonograph Blues" from these legendary November 1936 sessions was the last song in a long day of recording, and Johnson is said to have used a "mysterious tuning" on it which has been called the Aadd9 tuning, E-B-E-A-C♯-E. He used the same tuning on "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 2

  • Thomas Muck from Fairfax, VaThe second take was done in Vestapol tuning in the key of Eb. No "mysterious" tuning. Literally NO basis in fact.
  • Thomas Muck from Fairfax, VaThere is no evidence that Robert Johnson ever used a tuning called "Aadd9". This was invented by some rock guy and promoted in Guitar Player magazine, and picked up by Rubin in his transcription book. Complete garbage. Johnson used Spanish, Vestapol, Cross-note, and standard tunings like everyone else in his day. Robert Johnson experts all agree on this.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Harold Brown of War

Harold Brown of WarSongwriter Interviews

A founding member of the band War, Harold gives a first-person account of one of the most important periods in music history.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.